Using borrowed underwear, Cubs’ Addison Russell has caught fire

Chicago Cubs shortstop Addison Russell hit a two-run home run off Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Joe Blanton during the sixth inning of Game 5 of the National League Championship Series on Thursday.
Jae C. HongThe Associated Press

For a guy not on the Cubs’ National League Championship Series roster, outfielder Matt Szczur may be the key to getting Chicago back to the World Series for the first time since 1945.

In Game 4 on Wednesday, Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo used Szczur’s bat and clubbed a two-run homer as he broke out of a skid and Chicago beat the Dodgers 10-2.

During the Cubs’ 8-4 win over the Dodgers on Thursday, we learned that Szczur also loaned something to shortstop Addison Russell, who has caught fire in the last two games. Russell is batting .500 (5 for 10) with two homers and four RBIs since borrowing Szczur’s … underwear.

OK, so it’s not the underwear that most of us have on at work. It’s spandex shorts, which are also known as leggings.

“People broke out of their slumps and it just so happened to be with my stuff,” Szczur told the Chicago Tribune. “I feel like a lot of things happen for a reason.”

But borrowed underwear? Just keep it, man.

If you’re looking for someone who might be the star for the Cubs in Game 6 of the ALCS when they face Dodgers’ ace Clayton Kershaw, look no further than Ben Zobrist. The former Royals star has a .182 average in the postseason, and could use a little luck and he’s talked to Szczur.

“’Zobi (Ben Zobrist) was like, ‘Hey, Szcz, what do you got for me?’” Szczur told the Tribune.